Spain's large wildfires burn area larger than Seoul this year

Spain is grappling with a severe wildfire season, with large blazes continuing to spread and consuming an area exceeding Seoul's size this year alone. According to Euronews, over 70,000 hectares (approximately 700 square kilometers) have been scorched by 18 major wildfires across the country.

This year's damage is nearly triple the extent recorded during the same period last year, indicating a significant escalation in the wildfire crisis. The situation has been particularly devastating, with a fire in Almería earlier this month claiming 13 lives, including nine foreign nationals. Experts attribute the heightened risk to climate change, pointing to prolonged heatwaves with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius as a primary driver.

Currently, two large wildfires in the northeastern and central regions of Spain are actively spreading, contributing to the escalating damage. One blaze in Guadalajara province, about 100 kilometers northeast of Madrid, has already turned approximately 130 square kilometers into ashes and forced the evacuation of residents from 16 villages. This fire, which began on July 16, has been burning for five days, with some areas experiencing rapid spread due to strong southwesterly winds, complicating firefighting efforts.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the Guadalajara fire, with initial theories suggesting it may have started from a combine harvester during crop harvesting. Meanwhile, another major wildfire near Ores in Zaragoza province has burned 154 square kilometers. Firefighting efforts there have seen some success, with the intensity of the blaze easing overnight and additional aerial and ground crews deployed. Approximately 450 firefighters and emergency personnel are working to protect nearby areas, remaining vigilant about wind shifts and the potential for reignition.